Words cannot explain how you leave me stuck in
Awe, or how my
Love for you is unfailing but stuck deep within me, like a turtle afraid to peak its head out after a punishing storm. You are as
Lovely as the tranquil wind chimes teaching the grasses beyond the porch how to sway to its melodious tunes. You are the feeling of cool
Air on my back on a sunny day, as I’m surrounded by dandelions and Beatles. You are the feeling of when a grasshopper lands on my knee, dazed by its busy day. Your
Clouds make me happy, not for the gray days but for the comfort found in the rain, experiencing what gives us life and the growth that comes from it. One cannot appreciate warmth without its contrary occurrence. I want to
Experience all parts of life with you, I want you rain or shine.
by I. S.
Ask every question that you can.
Strive for good, give helping hands.
Plan with substitutes in mind.
Ignore the bad, but don’t be blind.
Rethink old patterns through research.
Enjoy success and bless the earth.
Take the time to view yourself.
Observe both good and lacking.
Measure each for basic needs. Address
Essentials first. Success with these breeds
Excellence. …though failures, too,
Teach tolerance…
You’re special and you’re singular,
One chosen for a
Unique mission.
Relish this realization!
Gather all the facts you can.
Outline an exciting plan.
Add alternative resources.
List ways to overcome reproaches.
Succeed with friends who understand.
Coming home from a 16 hour day
Already knowing that you’d ask for my phone
Maybe today it’ll be my location history, Instagram DMs, recently deleted
E-mails from my spam folder when my address was in that data breach
Last year, or maybe the one before
Cause things quickly got worse, violent and dangerous
Running out of our apartment
Until you’d say you changed, which you hadn’t
Said sorry, which you weren’t
Here I am, still buying the cigarettes we smoked so long ago, the only thing you left me with
Because everything else was gone, my truck, my credit score, my sanity
Love doesn’t shout, bully, or throw knives
Until you were finally gone, I couldn’t grasp that
Everything you ever wanted was mine, and all I have left are these crappy menthols
by M. L. Pab
Put yourself in others’ shoes.
Evolve with kindness and compassion.
Allow for and respect others’ differences.
Consider pausing before taking actions that may be harmful.
End and begin each day with gratitude.
by Laura Baker